11 Vogue Staffers on the Best Places to Eat Before a Broadway Play

One of the most quintessential things you can do in New York is go to a show in the famed Theater District. Aside from smokey hot dog stands and the occasional Elmo, the 14 block stretch hosts some of the world’s most famous plays—from Cats, to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The thrill of escaping the city for the underwater realm of a pineapple dwelling sponge (Spongebob Squarepants) or to a high school ruled by golden girl Regina George (Mean Girls), is prized by tourists and diehard New Yorkers alike. As Sunday’s 72nd Annual Tony Awards are bound to spur some play-going, here are the best places to eat before the show.

Becco 355 West 46th Street

"I have to go with Becco, Lidia Bastianich's Theater Row (46th Street) standby. Three words: Pasta. Tasting. Menu. It's packed, and kind of noisy and touristy, but you're in the Theater District, so, what do you expect? It's always a scene—one time when I was there with my parents, my mom saw her high school ex-boyfriend and he ignored her (clearly he's still carrying a torch!). Another time, the couple sitting next to me and my then-boyfriend, now husband, got into a giant, dramatic fight and she stormed out. All of us sitting around them just drank more wine and became great friends! I dare you to leave without a great New York story." - Michelle Ruiz, Vogue.com Contributing Editor

Gyu-Kaku 321 W 44th Street

“I don't have a pre-theater spot because if you know me at all, I am always running late and rushing uptown for shows. However, my go-to spot for post theater is Gyu-Kaku for some Japanese BBQ! Everything is super cheap and grilling your own meats and veggies is obviously the best part. I always make sure to get the garlic fried rice and the Harami Miso skirt steak. They also have Lady M's green tea cake for dessert which is to die for. Definitely a good spot for post theater, as you leave smelling like BBQ!!” - Anny Choi, Vogue.com Market Editor

Hakkasan 311 W 43rd Street

"Whenever I'm taking in a Broadway show, I always make sure to allot enough time to dine at Hakkasan. I've been to the London location and fell in love with the 43rd street location's moody, yet stylish environment and delectable bites. From the Hakka fried dim sum platter to the peking duck topped with caviar, it's always a luxe treat to visit before seeing a stellar show." - Edward Barsamian, Vogue.com Style Editor

Joe Allen 326 West 46th Street

“It doesn't get more classic than Joe Allen, where casts and crews frequently gather for a drink post-show and framed posters of Broadway flops line the walls. Word to the wise: the Banana Cream Pie is not to be missed.” - Zoe Ruffner, Beauty Associate

Butter 70 W 45th Street

“I'm a big fan of Alex Guarnaschelli so when I found out she opened a second location of Butter I had to go. It's right around the corner from the Belasco Theater so the first time I was able to go was the opening week of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Any seafood plate there is amazing but the standout for me has always been the dessert.” - David Vo, Designer

Orso 322 West 46th Street

“I adore Orso for pre-show dining for several reasons. For starters, it’s nestled just a few short blocks away from the hustle and bustle of the theater district; close enough to walk yet far enough to avoid being overrun by tourists. There, on West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, you’ll find this charming little Italian restaurant discreetly tucked away behind two cellar double doors. It was once an orchid warehouse years ago, and accordingly, the step-down dining room is situated underneath a high-arching skylight that fills the place with plenty of natural light during lunchtime—ideal for those looking to grab a bite before a matinee performance. At all hours, there is a well-edited menu of delicious Tuscan fare, plus an equally thoughtful wine list that pairs well with the food. You can’t go wrong with a bowl of pasta (the linguine with clams is particularly divine), or one of the brick wood–fired pizzas. Though I’m partial to the fresh seafood: The tuna tartare and the mussels sautéed with tomato and white wine never disappoint. But no matter what your taste buds desire, everything is served in a mix of gorgeous hand-painted Italian tableware and individual crockery that make it feel like a home away from home—right there in the heart of midtown.”-Maria Ward, Vogue.com Fashion News Writer

Taboon 773 10th Avenue

“Taboon! Pre- or post-theater it's a perfect stop for a glass of wine (they've got a great list) and some meze, though I'd travel to Hell's Kitchen and back just for the house focaccia—they bake it in their wood-fired oven right in the front of the restaurant.” - Alessandra Codinha, Vogue.com Culture Editor

Casellula 401 W 52nd Street

“Casellula is a little farther north than you'd typically go for pre-theater dining but still near most theaters. It's a delicious cheese and wine bar with a grilled cheese that should have it's own Tony Award.” - Chloe Malle, Vogue Contributor

Gloria 401 W 53rd Street

“Last time we saw a play, I took my family to Gloria, on 53rd and 9th. Tucked into an ideal blue booth, we ordered three jalapeño cornbreads (and should have taken two more to go, they were so good). The pescatarian menu pleased everyone, including vegetarian me—I went for the wild mushrooms in dashi broth, which were perfectly earthy. Gloria gave us just what we needed: a moment of reprieve after a busy day in the city, and fortification for the evening of entertainment ahead.”- Ella Riley-Adams, Living Editor

Sake Bar Hagi 46 358 West 46th Street

“My favorite place to eat dinner after a show is Sake Bar Hagi 46. It used to be a tiny underground izakaya (popular with chefs after-hours) but now is a significantly larger space on Restaurant Row. It's the perfect place to discuss Angels in America or the new Harry Potter show over beers, yakitori skewers, ochazuke (rice and dashi soup), and, my personal favorite, the mentai pasta. Highly recommend stopping by after seeing The Band's Visit, which made my cold heart fall in love with musicals all over again.” - Lisa Macabasco, Research Editor

Lobster Club 98 E 53rd Street

“I generally try to avoid the Theater District—I've spent one too many nights on 42nd Street back when our offices were located at 4 Times Square! Most of the time a pre-theater dinner takes me to Midtown East and, since its opening, to the Lobster Club, where Peter Marino’s Dali-esque lobster sketches decorate plates and the linens are pink. Oh, and the food's great, too.”- Lilah Ramzi, Assistant Editor